Burton Albion Football Club

Albion suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat to visitors Morecambe at The Pirelli Stadium, a 32nd minute goal by Ryan Williams was enough to overcome the 10 men of Albion.

Williams scored in unusual circumstances when the initial shot by Kevin Ellison hit Williams' head and found its way past Jordan Pickford.

Albion started the brighter of the two sides, midfielder Jimmy Phillips made headway down the right wing, with two dangerous crosses in the opening minutes.

The Brewers first opportunity fell to Adam McGurk, a low cross by McCrory out wide found the midfielder but his shot was instinctively saved by Morecambe goalkeeper Barry Roche from eight yards.

Morecambe's first chance came after 10 minutes, Kevin Ellison's well worked cross found Padraig Amond 

The Brewers had two players in the referee's notepad within the space of two minutes, the first Matty Palmer, with a late tackle on Fleming. The second, captain Ian Sharps with a deliberate trip on Kevin Ellison. 

With 20 minutes on the clock McGurk was again at the centre of a Brewers attack, this time running clean through only to be taken down by Hughes. McGurk took the resulting free-kick from 25 yards but his well struck curling effort was well saved by Roche.

Albion began to enjoy an extended spell of possession, Phillips went close from 25 yards after a string of neat passes allowed the winger to move inside and take aim only for his shot to be closed down by Mark Hughes.

The visitors took the lead shortly after the half-hour mark, Kevin Ellison's 20 yard shot took a vital deflection off Ryan Williams' head and found the corner of the net leaving Jordan Pickford helpless. 

Chris Hussey was almost rewarded for a surging run down the right flank, the midfielder cut inside just inside the Morecambe half and took aim from 25 yards with a well struck shot, unfortunately the accuracy let him down on this occasion but Brewers continued to press for the equaliser before half-time.

As the Fourth Official put three minutes up for added time Morecambe almost doubled their lead, Jack Sampson's acrobatic effort almost looped over Pickford but the Sunderland loanee jumped high enough to get two hands on the ball.

The Brewers went into the half-time interval a goal behind, but for large parts dominated the first period and could feel aggrieved at finding themselves behind to what was a unlucky goal to concede.

Half-time

 The Brewers first opportunity of the second-half came after 48 minutes, a Chris Hussey free-kick out wide almost found McGurk but Shrimps 'keeper Roche punched clear and almost set his side away on a counter-attack.

Moments after striker Billy Kee had his first sight of goal, after bringing the ball under his control the forward cut inside before taking his 25 yard shot earlier than Roche maybe expected, the Morecambe goalkeeper had to scramble across his goal to make the save.

Palmer, Phillips and McGurk all had a spate of efforts saved from the impressive Roche within the space of 5 minutes, Phillips' mazy run allowed McGurk to get a driven shot away but Hughes blocked the ball just off the goal line to the frustration of the Brewers' frontline. 

It proved to be Phillips' last contribution as forward Alex MacDonald was introduced at his expense. 

Albion's second-half momentum stalled somewhat after Ellison's was book for dissent and after a detailed conversation Brewers had rebuild their attacking pressure.

With 20 minutes remaining and the Brewers a goal behind manager Gary Rowett introduced Michael Symes in place of forward Billy Kee.

Morecambe began to try and see out the game with 20 minutes remaining, a collection of passes left Albion frustrated as they looked to grab an equaliser, although with every Albion attack came a Morecambe counter. 

After 78 minutes Dominic Knowles was introduced in place of Hussey as the Brewers looked press for an equaliser.

Ellison almost killed the game with time running out but his curling left-footed effort was just too high and Pickford watched it closely as it sailed over.

With time running out Albion struggled to turn their impressive midfield play into goal-scoring chances. 

MacDonald took a nasty knock on the right wing, the resulting free-kick was taken by Palmer but his lofted ball was easier caught by Roche.

To make things worse for manager Rowett forward MacDonald had to withdraw from the game in the closing stages with what appeared to be a thigh injury.

And with all three changes made the Brewers had to see out the six minutes of injury time with 10 men.

In the dying moments the Brewers were further reduced to nine men when Shane Cansdell-Sherriff collected his second yellow card of the match.

Burton Albion: Pickford, Edwards, Hussey (Knowles), Sharps, Weir, McCrory, Phillips (MacDonald), McGurk, Palmer, Cansdell-Sherriff, Kee (Symes).

Subs: Diamond, Bell, , Lyness, Dyer.

Morecambe: Roche, Threlfall, Hughes, Wright, Sampson, Williams, Ellison, Drummond, Fleming, Parrish, Amond.

Subs: Kenyon, Diagne, Redshaw, Marshall, McGee, Mwasile, Arestidou.